Events

Dynamic Young Road Cycling Academy Spreading Its Wings

· By Matt · 1 comment

Cycling South Africa will once again be partnering with South African road cycling icon Nic White and the Toyota Cycle Lab Academy in 2012, to assist in developing emerging young road cycling talent.

Launched in 2011 under the auspices of White – who has numerous accolades to his name including several 94.7 Cycle Challenge victories, Giro Del Capo winner, 2008 Africa Tour Champ to name a few – the dynamic CyclingSA Toyota Cycle Lab Academy has made a firm impression on the U23 road cycling scene in South Africa.

Never before has there been a national academy racing locally, and with the Road Cycling Commission’s initiative to look at the correct development of high performance training, the program has essentially become a stepping stone for young aspiring cyclists to reach greater heights in their cycling careers.

White’s wealth of racing experience has resulted in an invaluable hands-on approach with the emerging cyclists during their training.

Founder of the Cycle Lab franchise of stores, professional legendary cyclist and regular co-host of Supercycling, Andrew Mclean has in turn built up an impressive infrastructure on the support side of the team, adding immense value to the logistics and infrastructure of the team.

The dynamic CyclingSA Toyota Cyclelab Academy has made a firm impression on the U23 road cycling scene in South Africa, with Johann van Zyl claiming the SA U23 Time Trial and Road Race Championship title in the 2011 season, and Louis Meintjes finishing in second position.

Adding to the overwhelming successes of the 2011 season, CyclingSA would like to extend the positive influences of this exciting young initiative across all of the regions in 2012, and are requesting that CyclingSA affiliates identify and nominate potential U23 candidates from their local clubs and/or from their own development initiatives.

Please note: U23 Riders will only be accepted via nomination from any one of the nine affiliates. This nomination should be supported by:

1. VO2max power (PPO) data tested by a CyclingSA coaching institution or an accredited coach.

2. CyclingSA accredited coach supporting letter

3. Race CV

The CyclingSA Toyota Cyclelab Academy Manager and CyclingSA Road Cycling Manager will select riders from the nominations received. These selected riders will fill the available places in the team for a 3-month probation period.

After the first 3 months, the team will be reviewed as per their ranking, and the next potential candidate will be offered a place in the Academy. Should a candidate show sufficient potential during this period, their probation will be extended by a further three months. After a successful 6-month stint, the candidate will stay on for another six months, and will be placed in the development program of the Academy.

To take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to assist developing young cycling talent to reach their full potential, affiliates must email their nominations to CyclingSA’s Road Cycling Manager Barry Austin: austin@cyclingsa.com.

Please note: If provinces fail to produce a sufficient number of nominations, the Academy manager will select riders at his discretion. For the first part of 2012, the Academy manager has placed riders in the team using his discretion; this includes some riders from the 2011 program. There are however, places still available.

Comments

Andre 77

Feb 10, 2012, 10:13 AM

Is there something like this available for the MTB riders also not necessary at them but somewhere else, I'm thinking of the youngsters of 11 -13years and up that want to take there riding to the next level. .

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